The Vermont Alliance for Arts Education annually recognizes a community member for his or her talents and contributions in the area of arts education within their respective communities. This year two Community Member Awards have been made: one to Dennis Bruso (Vergennes, Vt.); the other to Mary Ward (Poultney, Vt.) Bruso and Ward each contribute significantly to the quality and availability of music to their town’s students, schools and community.

In November 2001, Poultney Elementary School faced a challenge when the school’s music teacher took an early retirement, preceded by a medical leave of absence. When a long term substitute music teacher could not be found, Mary Ward stepped up to ensure that the students would have the continuity of a music program. For the rest of the year, Ward served as the long-term substitute music teacher and performed an exceptional job in that role. “Her pride and compassion for her local school and her commitment to seeing that Poultney children have access to music, made her come forward,” said the school’s former principal, Bethany A. Hill. 

Although Ward has no formal music education training, she taught K-6 classroom music, as well as 4th through 6th-grade instrumental music, very effectively. Her knowledge of musical experiences for children in her community combined with her keen eye for available opportunities gave Ward a powerful set of personal tools with which to weave together a viable program for the school. Going far beyond the role of a substitute teacher, Ward collaborated with the high school music teacher for curriculum support, and brought her in to help with the band program weekly.

During this time Mary also organized a student recital for the Rutland Southwest Supervisory Union Arts Evening, helped with a 4th, 5th and 6th grade instrumental music concert, and organized an instrumental music fieldtrip to Burlington for the Discover Jazz Festival. Prior to this, Mary organized and ran the Band Booster Flea Market, a very successful and profitable fundraiser for the Band, for many years. This year, Mary received the Poultney High School Band Booster Award for outstanding dedication and service to the band. 
Ward was nominated for the 2002 award by Bethany Hill, former Principal of Poultney Elementary School; Second Grade teacher, Linda Leach; and Dr. Patricia Riley, the Music Director at Poultney High School. “Mary has done an outstanding job in this capacity,” said nominator Dr. Patricia Riley of Ms. Ward’s work with the students.

In Vergennes, Vermont, there is also someone who makes a very big difference in music education – Dennis Bruso. Bruso’s dedication to the arts in his community and throughout Vermont is absolutely extraordinary. He has affected music educators and students for many years and continues to do so every day. 

A business man and musician, Bruso has used both talents to create a rich legacy of music. An avid supporter of the music program at Vergennes Union High School, Bruso has donated time over the years to design and build sets for musicals and concerts; played in the pit orchestra; helped drill and march with the marching bands; repaired instruments; and chaperoned dozens of band trips around the country. “Dennis has never said “no” to a request from VUHS. [His] energy and “can do” attitude are infectious. He is our biggest fan, and VUHS students in return, enjoy his help and support,” said Susan O’Daniel, Instrumental Music Director, Vergennes Union High School (VUHS).

As a musician, Dennis can cover almost any missing part on almost any instrument in the band. If an instrument is needed and Dennis doesn’t have direct experience on that particular instrument, Dennis has quickly learned to play it well enough to navigate the summer city band selections.

In 1991 Dennis founded a community big band, the Little City Jazz Ensemble. Dennis provided money for rehearsal space rental and LC Jazz was formed, giving dozens of musicians of all ages a chance to play big band jazz. Eleven years later the group welcomes all jazz enthusiasts. The age range of participating musicians is from 16 to 80. A source of great pride for Addison County and beyond, LC Jazz has earned sufficient funds to purchase its own sound equipment, which they share freely with Vergennes Union High School. 
Typical of Dennis’s philosophy and altruism, all money earned by the band goes to scholarships for seniors graduating from Vergennes, Middlebury and Mount Abraham Union High Schools, who plan to pursue the study of music. LC Jazz now awards more than $2000 annually in Addison County. The first scholarship recipient is now the choral director at Middlebury Union High School.

As a businessman, Dennis discovered new ways to support music and musicians in Vermont when he purchased East Coast Printers, a custom screen printing company based in Essex. He supplies the VUHS music department with custom printed shirts at cost. He also provides this service to area schools as well as to the Vermont All State and New England Music Festivals. Dennis has proven to be an invaluable assistance at music festivals where he volunteers in a variety of activities. 

Bruso was nominated by Susan O’Daniel, Instrumental Music Director, Vergennes UHS; Steffen Parker, Festival Director of the All State Music Festival (Colchester HS) and Anne Severy, Assistant Festival Director (Middlebury UHS); and Gene Childers, MUMS Music Teacher.

“Dennis Bruso is an extraordinary man who has made a significant difference in the quality of our music events in Vermont for many years,” said Childers, echoing the praise of the other nominators.